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Why does my business need a website? Even if you're not planning on selling online, a well-crafted site is essential for any business. Q: My business is very small, just me and two employees, and our product really can't be sold online....

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Insanity in Small Business Einstein’s Definition Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Think about this quote for a second...

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Web Design mini-site launch! We just launched a mini concept site for Sketchbook Web Design! This mini-site is more an experiment for us to use some new fun designs and nifty css stylings. Think of it as more of an online business...

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Web Design mini-site launch! We just launched a mini concept site for Sketchbook Web Design! This mini-site is more an experiment for us to use some new fun designs and nifty css stylings. Think of it as more of an online business...

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Communicate with your most important assets—your... Email Marketing by Constant Contact®, in association with Sketchbook Media Group, is the easy, effective, and highly affordable way to get your message out to your customers, clients, or members. You'll...

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An Look At Some Of The Newest High Tech Gadgets

Posted on : 06-06-2010 | By : SMG Team | In : Technology Tips

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The Latest Gadgets pull crowds of people from all over the world as most individuals believe that gadgets are engineering miracles which are beyond the understanding on the typical man. Hence, on hearing phrases like hi tech devices and tech devices folks generally assume that they have to be very complicated units which would need an immense amount of technical expertise to handle. Little do they know that the term gadget will need not represent a technical miracle, but might even be a tiny item that is not just exponentially user friendly but convenient as well?

A few of the devices which may just be used close to the household on a every day basis are the digital picture frame, the digital cooking aids, music devices and under cabinet television. A digital picture frame consists of small LCD screens and is equipped with memory cards to store photographs. In this gadget, the digital image can be uploaded either directly from the personal computer or from other types of storage products like USB drives and SD cards. After having been uploaded, the images are displayed in form of a slide show with 1 photo getting automatically replaced by the next. This image frame comes in a variety of frames so a buyer is presented with several options so that you can select a frame which would blend nicely with its surroundings.

Even though the list of hi tech devices and tech devices is long and inexhaustible, you’ll find several devices which would make perfect gifts for housewives who expend much of their time cooking within the kitchen. Digital cooking aids in form with the digital meat thermometer or an infra red scanning thermometer serve as perfect machines while cooking turkey and candy respectively. Similarly, an under cabinet television from the kitchen would not only offer entertainment although cooking but would also enable the lady to spend time in the kitchen with no having to miss out on her favorite programs.

Some other house entertainment gizmos which could be placed close to the house are DVD players, residence theatre systems, wireless speakers and BluRay players all which must be first checked for compatibility prior to being bought.

Tech devices have come to be a rage in today’s globe and science has been making such rapid strides that new gadgets are getting invented every day. You will discover so a lot of machines accessible inside the current market currently that you genuinely get confused about what to pick. Let us take a peep to the latest devices which have occur into the market.

Among the most modern inventions could be the Portable Freezer. That is a battery operated device and works with the aid of LED lights that are fixed on the top most part of the unit which supplies the essential lighting and helps to cool the device. It truly is among the newest inventions and looks actually trendy.

Another new gadget which has come out may be the dog umbrella leash. This can be a totally new device which has been launched specifically for pet dogs to be protected from the rain though going for walks during the rainy season. You just have to fix this attachment onto your dog’s collar which is made of transparent PVC. It’s quite reasonably priced and definitely a worth whilst investment for your pet.

The cigarette lighter camera is yet another new large tech gadget which has arrive out right now. This can be specially meant for detectives and police inspectors who can make use of this gadget to click photos of crimes without even letting other persons know that you are clicking away. This really is due to the fact men and women will think that it really is just a cigarette lighter and never guess that this can be a camera.

External USB drives have also come to be a lot more high tech, savvy and trendy nowadays. They have turn out to be quite speedy, additional compact and have greater storage capacities.

These are just a few of the large tech gadgets which can be in vogue right now. You’ll find numerous other equipment which might be available within the industry for you to choose according to your needs. Just clicking on-line will get you informed of all the latest devices which have been launched.

For more information about Hi Tech Gadgets and Gadget Reviews, please checkout gadget gifts for your daily tech fix.

Windows Hosting – A Perfect Solution For Your Website

Posted on : 19-05-2010 | By : SMG Team | In : Technology Tips

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Windows hosting is gaining more and more fame among web designers and website owners. The figures by Netcraft shows that almost 35.8% websites over the internet are hosted by Windows hosting providers or are located at Windows based server. This statistics are getting better and better every day. The new and great features of .Net platform attract web developers to make the web sites in ASP.NET platform and finally they are hosted on Windows hosting servers. Windows platform is getting better and safer every day. And with such improving features anyone will prefer Windows Servers than any other platform.

Microsoft Corporation’s very first server side script for dynamic web pages is called Active Server Pages well known as ASP. This was a suppressed version and a new version was introduced in market called ASP.NET. There was an apparent difference between both of these versions and hence the older version is used to be called as Classic ASP.

Windows web hosting provides all features that are required to set up your personal website or any business website in a very convenient way. It is very user friendly interface and smooth running without any harassment makes it best suited platform for web hosting. Not only that, you are having natural supports of all Microsoft applications to help you most attractive and user friendly website that will definitely draw traffic. For example you can easily build website that sells phone card online with ASP.NET technologies. ASP.NET has built-in components that allow you to speed up your web development process hence shorten time-to-market delivery.

A large number of companies providing facility of windows hosting are in the market. And all of them are at affordable rates. Having new interesting features in Windows Server 2008 and increasing demand in the market lead more and more companies to start windows hosting. Windows server 2008 Web Edition produced by Microsoft Corporation is dedicatedly structured for windows hosting. It is well organized in way that it is helpful to application developers to Internet Service Providers.

The new features added into new Windows Server 2008 edition Operating System are having lots of interesting updates than its previous version. It consists of improved versions of administrative tools, security features, management and monitoring features, image based installation, mind-blowing firewall, and lots of technical features. All configurations are made through command line argument interface of windows.

Most important part of windows server-Active Directory is improved by including right management, certificate management, and identity management systems. Also one more noticeable improvement is at Terminal Services Remote Application which can share any small or big application with the help of remote desktop application. It includes task-based scripting technology and Windows Power Shell which is a new version of command line shell scripting. And last but not the least windows System Resource Manager to control all the resources that a user or an application can have with priorities.

These great features will lead anyone to switch to Windows based platform or say Windows Server 2008. All other platforms have a lot of work to perform to stand with Windows Server in the market. Still there is a very tough competition with Apache server but Microsoft is having lots of expectations from this new Windows Server 2008 to break all market records.

Which Way To Go – Windows Server Or Linux Server Hosting

Posted on : 12-05-2010 | By : SMG Team | In : Technology Tips

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If you want to set up a new business of web hosting and you are confused of installing a server operating system for hosting business then this article may help you to have clear idea about which server operating system you need to set up so that you can easily manage your server and serve your customers with full of satisfaction.

Windows or Linux is not a big issue. Actually they are two different paths to reach to the destination no matter which way you follow but as a businessman you need to keep in mind pros and cons of both the ways. There are thousands of web hosting service providers who provides services with Windows Server and so as with Linux servers. If you have customers that build website to sell phone card online and it’s written in ASP.NET that they will subscribe to your Windows hosting package. However if they are written in PHP then they will subscribe to your Linux hosting package.

Windows server is much easier to configure compared to Linux server. Also it is easier to manage it. Microsoft is providing such a user friendly interface that anybody knowing some basic lessons of configuration of server can manage the server. You don’t need to have premium skilled persons or say highly qualified server administrators to manage a Windows web hosting server. But the problem with windows web hosting server is cost. You have to pay money for getting services of Microsoft. Microsoft’s latest server edition Windows Server 2008 is not free. Also the platform of ASP.NET, on which any web designer make a dynamic website that can be host on windows server, is not free as well. Access database provided by Microsoft Corporation, also consists some cost. But by paying all this money you get a very easy interface, a simple configuration and maintenance and a system that helps you on each and every moment you feel confused to manage server.

If we talk about Linux then Linux is an open source anybody can just download it and install it. Not only that anyone having knowledge about file system of Linux operating system can change the operating system files as per needs. Again the problem with Linux based servers is its complexity. It is not a simple job to install and manage the Linux web hosting server. You need to hire highly experienced and skilled server administrators to operate and manage the Linux server. It’s well known that Linux is free and the support which Linux have to make dynamic web pages – PHP is free as well. Databases that are generally bound with PHP script is MySQL. MySQL is open-source database application as well. So if you know configuration and managing server in Linux based operating system, then there is no investment to make other than hardware resources. But if you don’t, then saved money by installing open sources will be flooded in hiring a skilled server administrator.

When it comes to security, there are lots of forums and discussions telling that Windows is less secure than Linux based web hosting server. But that is a past now. With Windows Server 2008 there are no issues of security at Operating System level. Nowadays Windows Server is as secure as a Linux server. It’s all depends upon the server administrator to provide security to a web server.

Finally both types of servers are capable to fulfill your needs as a web hosting provider and no one is more powerful than the other. Windows will reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and Linux is free interface. Now it’s upon you to decide what server you want to install for your web hosting business.

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Free File Hosting Could Help Make Your Internet Existence A Good Deal Less Demanding

Posted on : 07-05-2010 | By : SMG Team | In : Technology Tips

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In case you are anxious about the protection of the crucial files kept in the PC, or maybe want to share certain files distantly with friends or business companions, then file hosting service can be the solution to all of your file storage and sharing necessities. It has turn out to be really admired lately and most people are utilizing this kind of web based facilities to create online storage space of the files as well as for sharing reasons.

From the beginning of the computer age, people have wondered how they can protect and preserve their important data. At the beginning there were CDs and DVDs and other mobile storage devices available for file storage purposes and also people shared those mobile storage devices as means for sharing the files. But, the whole thing was not that reliable and people felt a need for more secured and easy way to backup and share their files.

The internet provided them just the thing they were looking for. Many companies started providing the file storage services through the internet and they also provided the opportunity to share those files using their services. After that, the era of one click file upload services began and it become very popular among the internet community as it provided easy and user friendly services. Now, most people are using their services as they provide the best quality at the least possible cost.

One click upload service is the easiest service to upload your files and some services even provide 5 GB file size limit so that you can upload files without worrying about the size of that file. When uploading is done, they will provide you a URL, through which you can download that uploaded file. So, if you want to share the any uploaded file to your friends or business partners, all you have to do is provide them the link to that file, and through that they can easily download that file. No need to become a member of their site. You can check out services like filedropper.com or wikiupload.com which offers high bandwidth to all the users. They provide almost all the things that you might want, when backing up or sharing your files.

A good thing about these sites is that, they provide a free trial for new users, so that you can check out their services. So, if you are in need of any kind of file storage services you can always check a few sites first to decide which one would be best for your needs. Free file hosting services are dedicated to help us get rid of our tension and anxiety about the security of the important files stored in our computer. So, do not waste your time and check a few services to evaluate which one would be perfect for.

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Should I Host On A Linux Or Windows Hosting Provider?

Posted on : 03-05-2010 | By : SMG Team | In : Technology Tips

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While choosing a web hosting provider for your hosting business, it’s very important to choose a correct one as hundreds of companies are competing in the market. Wrong selections of company with whom you going to host can actually make you lose lots of your revenues and energy being spent. This can be avoided by spending some time to evaluate the available options.

Whenever it comes to select a web hosting provider foremost thing which needs to be considered is what operating system you will go for to run your application.

What kind of pages your website will contain?

In case you are planning to host standard HTML pages and nothing else then you don’t need to think about which operating you should go for as HTML pages can be served from both Windows hosting Provider and a Linux hosting provider.

But in case if you are planning to develop your website to create dynamic, database driven web pages you need to do some research. For example you are building website that sell phone card. In this case you need to show list of phone cards from database then it is considered as database driven website. You also need to see whether you will use some special back end software languages. And if this is the case than choosing a correct web hosting provider becomes crucial.

If you are using languages like PHP, Perl or CGI for your website than you should go for Linux hosting provider. On the contrary if you are using languages like ASP, ASP.NET, or other Microsoft based languages than you should go for Windows hosting provider as these Microsoft technologies won’t run on Linux operating system.

What Type of Database Will Your Web Site Use?

Whenever you have to use database with your website you need to see what type of database you will go for. Microsoft access is pretty inexpensive and easy to use database used in conjunction with websites which works only on Windows hosting provider. However in the case a company provides Linux hosting capabilities only then it won’t work with Windows hosting.

Solution to this access problem is MySQL which can be served from Linux host or a Windows host. MySQL is now being used as a standard database as it can be transferred from one server to another. Moreover many hosting providers have online MySQL tools which enable you to use the database tools without spending any extra money.

JavaScript, Flash and other Multimedia Content

If you are not using any back end languages and data base connectivity than you don’t need to care as to which operating system you web hosting provider uses. Scripts like which function on the “front end” of a web page can be served well from Linux hosting provider or a Windows hosting provider.

Moreover flash or multimedia videos like YouTube videos can be easily put to your webpage irrespective of the operating system that is being used by your web hosting provider.

Costs

Windows being licensed operating system would definitely cause you to pay more for Windows hosting than Linux hosting. If you don’t want to use Microsoft based database or web languages than you go for Linux hosting provider for your website.

Generally Linux hosting will cost you less than $5 per month whereas windows hosting will cost you less than $10 per month. The sum total of $60 extra windows hosting is worth to use in case you want plan to host multiple web sites for your company.

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Learn How To Pick The Best Online Backup Services

Posted on : 27-03-2010 | By : SMG Team | In : Technology Tips

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It is very important to preserve our files to a safe place. It will save us from any accidents that can take our files away. A place safer than our computer. A virus before a hardware malfunction know how to crush our valuable data evermore. The preference mainly inhabit are with these days is the online backup system.

The question is, whether or not it is out of harm’s way and locked than extra support methods in the vein of DVDs, Discs and USB drives. Sound, we all know what the problem is with these mobile backup systems. They are same as the hard disk and can have the same fate. Your PC can be theft and the same can be happened to your mobile backups. Any calamity can destroy your computer or other things. Consequently, it is really necessary to backup your files soon.

Online backup services can be the right choice for you. Various services are available. You must choose carefully. Some services can give you routine backup of your data at a given time each day. Or a exact day of the week of the few days, round about military proposition a mimic hurl arrived your not public computer everywhere you be capable of drag moreover globule your needed documents en route for sponsorship somewhat. One click services are the best among these. You can upload your file in one click. They offer you a URL for the uploaded file. You will get a password for your account. The charge for their services vary accordingly. Can go from $5 to more than $100. Normally these services have a free trial period. So, You should check those before buying anything. This service backs up your files to secured and well managed servers. So that the safety is guaranteed. Multiple security measures are taken to keep your data secured. some even scatter your files to different servers.

This is another great option from them. That they give you the chance to share your files too. It is very easy. You provide the URL to others. To whom you want to share the file to. You can back up your important files. Also container divide new annals with additional persons by far. In lieu of these recompense, this service is getting more popular among all the online backup services. Another factor that differentiates these services is the maximum file size. Qualification you are a cassette editor before amazing running in addition to superior records. Then you can choose services that allow larger file uploading. How a large amount freedom you want is a different opportunity headed for try out. Decide wisely, you have to recognize what your heyday consequence is and know how to make a decision which check just before exploit via manufacture to facilitate the top priority.

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Why does my business need a website?

Posted on : 16-09-2009 | By : Sketchbook Team | In : Blog, Technology Tips, small business website, website tips

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Even if you’re not planning on selling online, a well-crafted site is essential for any business.

Q: My business is very small, just me and two employees, and our product really can’t be sold online. Do I really need a website?

A: That’s a good question. In fact, it’s one of the most important and most frequently asked questions of the digital business age. I personally have been asked this one question more times than I could count, yet my answer has always remained the same. “Yes, if you have a business, you should have a website. Period. No question. Without a doubt.”

Also, don’t be so quick to dismiss your product as one that can’t be sold online. Nowadays, there’s very little that can’t be sold over the internet. More than 20 million shoppers are now online, purchasing everything from books to computers to cars to real estate to jet airplanes to natural gas to you name it. If you can imagine it, someone will figure out how to sell it online.

Let me clarify one point: I’m not saying you should put all your efforts into selling your wares over the internet, though if your product lends itself to easy online sales, you should certainly be considering it. The point to be made here is that you should at the very least have a presence on the web so that customers, potential employees, business partners and perhaps even investors can quickly and easily find out more about your business and the products or services you have to offer.

That said, it’s not enough that you just have a website. You must have a professional-looking site if you want to be taken seriously. Since many consumers now search for information online prior to making a purchase at a physical store, your site may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a potential buyer. If your site looks like it was designed by a barrel of colorblind monkeys, your chance at making a good first impression will be lost. (Unless of course your target demographic happens to be colorblind monkeys.)

One of the great things about the internet is that it has leveled the playing field when it comes to competing with the big boys. As mentioned, you have one shot at making a good first impression. With a well-designed site, your little operation can project the image and professionalism of a much larger company. The inverse is also true. I’ve seen many big company websites that were so badly designed and hard to navigate that they completely lacked professionalism and credibility. Good for you, too bad for them.

You also mention that yours is a small operation, but when it comes to benefiting from a website, size does not matter. I don’t care if you’re a one-man show or a 10,000-employee corporate giant; if you don’t have a website, you’re losing business to other companies that do.

Think of this, 75 years ago, the American population felt that the telephone was an expensive luxury and not crucial to business growth.  That sentiment continued for 30 years.  As social communication trends changed, businesses changed to insure profitability.  Use of the Internet will only increase in the next ten years.

For those who may say “a website won’t attract our type of customers,” keep this in mind; the internet targets everyone in almost all demographics.  And those demographic shift and change.  Ten years less than 50% of the population used the internet.  Five years ago, primary users were people who worked in offices in jobs that were above the median income level.  Three years ago the fastest growing demographic for internet use was minor children.  Today it is retirees.  8 out of every ten people you meet in America uses a computer at least once a week.  “Are your potential customers the other 2 who don’t?”

Here’s the exception to my rule: It’s actually better to have no website at all than to have one that makes your business look bad. Your site speaks volumes about your business. It either says, “Hey, look, we take our business so seriously that we have created this wonderful site for our customers!” or it screams, “Hey, look, I let my 10-year-old nephew design my site. Good luck finding anything!”

Your website is an important part of your business. Make sure you treat it as such.

The internet targets everyone in almost all demographics. And those demographic shift and change. Ten years less than 50% of the population used the internet. Five years ago, primary users were people who worked in offices in jobs that were above the median income level. Three years ago the fastest growing demographic for internet use was minor children. Today it is retirees. 7 out of every ten people you meet inAmerica uses a computer at least once a week. “Are your potential customers the other 3 who don’t?”

Insanity in Small Business

Posted on : 04-09-2009 | By : Sketchbook Team | In : Blog, Business Strategy, Email Marketing, Internet Promotion, Social Media, Technology Tips, small business website

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Einstein’s Definition

Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Think about this quote for a second and ask yourself, does this quote apply to the way you run your company?

Have you been doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results? If so, then you might want to keep on reading. In a world where technology is becoming a key productivity tool to the success of any business, it simply comes down to, are you accepting and harnessing technology or rejecting it. Are you willing to change or will you do the same thing over and over again?

Here are two main reasons why I pose this question. First, many business owners today have trouble understanding how new technology, specifically the internet, websites, and social media, can become a major benefit to their business, and second, owners have trouble measuring the profits they are losing by rejecting this technological change. Have you ever rejected technology?

“If It Ain’t Broke Then Don’t Fix It!” Mentality

Are you expecting to increase profits by continuing the same business strategy year after year? If so, how long do you think the method will work?

Many small business owners simply do not see the need to update or change their current method. They believe that there is no need to invest in a new method when the old one still seems to work fine. This is the common, “If it ain’t broke then don’t fix it!” mentality. Well, I hate to be the one to say it, but just because something isn’t “broke” doesn’t mean you can’t make it work better. When new technology such as a website or social media, could save you large amounts of time & money, how can you not accept it?

In an industry where there is an increasing level of competitiveness, small business owners must take advantage of every method available to help them cut costs. Would a commercial printer looking to grow their business, limit their shop to just a one color press? Sure they can continue to operate with a one color press, but wouldn’t a two or four color press help expand their business into other areas more effectively. In this example the current method works, but a technological change would help increase the company’s ability to grow.

Exploring these other areas help companies to sustain and increase profits. Without accepting new technology, small business owners greatly limit their profit potential. By using the power of technology to make their business practices more efficient owners can continue to achieve their goals.

Are You Sacrificing?

A lot of small business owners that we talk with have a hard time visualizing the amount of money they are losing, or in actuality, the amount of money they are giving to their competition, due to outdated advertising and lack of constant communication with their customers. These small businesses feel they are doing well with the system they currently have in place and do not see the need to change to a new method. This lack of vision can cause owners to limit their future profits.

On the opposite side, the owners that do see a need for change begin to focus more attention on how much money it will cost to make the investment into these new technologies rather than how much they are losing. These owners become unsure and wonder if the investment today will pay off tomorrow. To those owners, how much will it cost you not to have a great looking company website with email marketing, or social media? Do you even know? Is it one, three, possibly five customers or jobs a day? Do the math. How much money is lost due to potential customers not finding you on search engines or never hearing about new specials and opportunities your business is offering?

Ask yourself, how long can a company continue to compete if they are not being as efficient as their competition? If companies choose to stay with the same system they have been using for years and reject change are they, in essence, choosing to sacrifice future profits?

It’s not Just Advertising

Companies are not just losing profits due to poor advertising; they’re also losing profits due to a lack of follow up, or customer relationship. When offering new services, special pricing or new products to potential clients, how often do companies remember to follow up with their existing customer base? With the constant chaos that small business owners experience on a daily basis, this follow up process can become an aspect that is quickly forgotten, especially if requires the owner or an employee to directly try to contact each individual existing customer.

A great website, along with Email Marketing and social media  makes it easy, effective, and highly affordable to connect with your audience and build strong, successful, lasting relationships with them.

Adapting to Change

By adapting to change, and accepting and harnessing technology, small business owners who use internet tools, such as company websites, email marketing, and social media, have become more efficient and profitable.