Categories
Marketing

What Can Website Maintenance Do For You?

The Importance of Regularly Scheduled Website Maintenance and How It Can Boost Your Business

 

Quarterly maintenance and updates are important, that much we know- or have been told. But why is keeping your online presence clean and optimized important? In a growing digital world it is not enough to “just have an online presence” anymore. Having an optimized site that is accessible across multiple platforms, user-friendly, and overall nice to look at, will help you achieve your business goals and customer satisfaction by:

-Boosting SEO rankings and overall driving more traffic to your site.

-Preventing hackers that look for outdated software and plugins from gaining access to your site.

-Ensuring brand consistency and awareness to customers and prospects with a site that expresses your business’s brand, mission, and vision.

-Improving user experience and return rate to your site by providing customers  and prospects current and informative content and user friendly experience.

 

The Importance of Website Maintenance and Your Consumer

 

A study by Adobe, The State of Content: Expectations on the Rise, links why optimizing your online presence is important to your consumer and how damaging a lack of maintenance to your website can be to your business.

     – 39% will stop engaging with your content if images won’t load

     – 39% will stop engaging if content takes too long to load

     – 38% will stop engaging if content is unattractive in its layout or imagery

     – 66% of consumers would prefer to view something beautifully designed

     – More than 7 in 10 consumers (73%) say content “must display well” in order for them to continue engagement

To learn more, check out the rest of the adobe report by clicking here.

 

So, Why Is Website Maintenance Important?

 

In a nutshell, regularly scheduled maintenance and updates prevents major maintenance issues that can be damaging to your business, brand, and customer experience. A well maintained website gives your business and brand credibility and your consumers confidence in your products and services. 

 

Categories
Marketing

Importance of User-Generated Content

Getting a consumer excited enough about your product or service to spark them to talk more about it to others- it’s the most important and promising challenge in marketing. Just a casual conversation, while engaging, doesn’t necessarily generate on-going engagement. The challenge for brands is to organize user-generated content that actually accomplishes valuable goals for a brand. It’s not starting a conversation- it’s framing it.

User-generated content allows the consumer to become more involved in the marketing and sales process for a product or service. Starbucks started utilizing user-generated content early in the game through their “My Starbucks Idea,” which allowed customers to send their best coffee or tea idea to Starbucks because they recognized the disconnect with their current offering. Also, in 2014, Starbucks launched a contest featuring their signature white cup where they asked consumers to decorate and submit a picture of their artwork on the cup by posting a picture on social media with the hashtag #WhiteCupContest. In just a few weeks, thousands of customers submitted their artwork to Starbucks. This initiative engaged customers, gained Starbucks publicity, and showed that Starbucks once again was listening closely to the opinions and ideas of their consumer.

Simply putting a contest on your Facebook page isn’t going to generate on-going engagement. So what should companies do to turn a promotion or contest into consumer engagement?

First, reward consumers with recognition when they positively promote or advocate for your brand. These folks don’t “owe it to you” to be engaged with your brand. Earn their business! As you monitor your social channels and you see someone post a picture or content saying how great your company did— engage! Reach out to them and thank them for their feedback, ask to use their content on your page, and encourage them to complete reviews or rankings to have their voice heard by more people.

When running a promotion, don’t just think that once the award is given, the marketing benefit stops. Ask consumers who submitted entries if you can use their content in an on-going manner. Utilizing videos and photos generated by consumers engages new customers and encourages repeat customers by endearing the brand to the public.

Finally, harness user-generated content to create advocates for your brand. “There are stories about your brand that are being shared every day. Harnessing UGC enables you to engage and share the narratives through the voices of your most passionate brand advocates” (Wright, 2017). By engaging with consumers about the content that they create, you can generate more passion and excitement for your brand from them, their friends, and your general consumer audience.

Next time you see someone post an Instagram selfie with your product or see someone post a picture of a great job your company did, don’t simply settle for the double tap to show your appreciation. Engage with your audience, earn their continued business, and utilize their content to reach new audiences.

Sources:

Categories
Marketing

Royal Highnies Spends Less and Makes More with Spectruss

Overview:

Many years ago, Royal Highnies set out on a quest to create the perfect boxer short. Today, Royal Highnies produces luxury undergarments and loungewear for the whole family. Their products are sold by boutique retailers both online and in brick and mortar stores.

 

The Situation:

Digital marketing provides an opportunity for smaller companies, like Royal Highnies, to compete against larger, more established brands in the crowded retail apparel space. However, capturing buyers’ attention online can require a hefty marketing spend.

For the 2017 holiday season, Royal Highnies wanted to boost the success of its online advertising campaigns and sell more underwear that’s fun to wear. That’s where Spectruss came in.

 

The Spectruss Solution:

Our plan started with research. We took the time to understand the exact target markets Royal Highnies needed to reach, then developed a plan around keywords and platforms that would put Royal Highnies in front of its desired customers – and convince them to make a purchase.

 

After defining their markets and doing rigorous keyword research, we developed a digital marketing plan that included:

 

  • Creative email campaigns

  • Shopping ad campaigns

  • Display ads

  • Social media ad campaigns

  • Fresh graphics

 

The campaign incorporated new creative materials and approaches. Each piece of the plan was designed to better reach Royal Highnies’ target markets and convert prospects into customers. We also maintained a rigorous schedule of reviewing campaign results and, in response, making small adjustments to continually improve the success of the campaign.

Royal Highnies achieved more while spending less, thanks to Spectruss’ strategic approach. SEE MORE OF THE AWESOME WORK WE DID FOR ROYAL HIGHNIES HERE

 

Categories
Events

2018 Lookout Wild Film Festival, Huge Success!

Lookout Wild Film Festival Surpasses Expectations in Sixth Year.

 

The annual Lookout Wild Film Festival started six years ago. The film festival began in hopes of bringing a substantial presence and impact within the Chattanooga community. It began with only a few board members and has since grown into a very well-known, successful annual event. With selling out two nights in a row, the 2018 Lookout Wild Film Festival proved to be its best year yet. The festival took place at the Walker Theatre Auditorium for its fourth consecutive year.

The lineup included 80 films that individually captured beautiful, powerful stories. The films ranged from rock climbing to surfing while captivating the audience with deep, meaningful raw footage. With four days to see incredible films, the Lookout Wild Film Festival presented a wide range of showtimes. This allowed the audience to see as many films as possible.

Not only did the Lookout Wild Film Festival provide outstanding entertainment for the viewers, but it also provided a full bar, concessions, yoga, and live filmmaker Q&As. These are just a few aspects that created an environment that proves to keep people returning.

The founder of the Lookout Wild Film Festival, Andy Johns, hopes to experience even further success down the road. He recently said, “As we continue to grow, our goal still remains the same. That is to share inspiring films that tell a story of beauty while educating viewers.”

 

For more information about the Lookout Wild Film Festival, visit www.lookoutfilmfestival.org or www.facebook.com/LookoutWildFilmFestival/.

 

Categories
Business

Spectruss, a Google Partner

For years, Spectruss has excelled in custom website development, UI / UX design, graphic design and custom API integrations. With the extensive experience and knowledge we have gained over the years, it is time to take the steps to become certified in all areas, including digital advertising. With that said, we are excited to announce that we are now officially a Google Partner and will be offering custom packages for increasing brand awareness and conversions for our clients.

Becoming a Google Partner is a proud achievement for Spectruss. With this partnership, Spectruss represents a company with employees who are certified as Analysts and Account Managers in Google Adwords, who have the ability to maximize the return of every dollar you spend on online advertising. As a Google Partner, Spectruss is well-versed in every Adwords aspect and completely dedicated to paid search marketing for all clients.

To become a Google Partner, one must prove the mastered use of comprehensive analytics, negative keywords, site links inside of ads, ad extensions, phrase match keywords, split testing, ad scheduling, mobile development, YouTube advertising, digital sales and more. We successfully passed all nine of our exams, displayed an increase in return for our clients, and have spent over $10,000 in advertising in the last 90 days.

Spectruss is adamant about staying current on all things technology and is constantly looking for ways to increase our clients return on investment. As a creative marketing agency, Spectruss is always looking for creative ways to help our clients grow their business.

Categories
Events

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint Presents Southeastern Climbers Coalition Fundraiser

CHATTANOOGA, TN — On October 26, 2017, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint will hold a fundraiser for the Southeastern Climbers Coalition.

 

The fundraiser will take place from 12 pm to 2 am. With the total amount of money raised, 15% of sales will go towards the Climbers Coalition.

The Southeastern Climbers Coalition Fundraiser will include raffle donations from High Point Climbing Gym. The raffle will take place from 7 pm to 9 pm. In order to participate in the raffle, tickets must be purchased at the event. All fundraiser participants will receive 1 free raffle ticket with each food purchase during the event. Free pint glasses will be available to the first 20 people to arrive at the event after 7 pm.

In 2008, Aaron Ludwig and Mike Sabin, two childhood friends with big dreams, established the first Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint. Over time, the chain has continued to grow and prosper throughout the South. With the latest location being 818 Georgia Avenue in Chattanooga, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint hopes to establish a strong presence within the Chattanooga community.

Sara Taylor, the manager at the Chattanooga location, cannot wait to apart of this event. Sara said, “It is important for Jack Brown’s to get involved in the community around us. Partnering with the local Chattanooga climbing community will be a great fundraiser. On October 26th, we hope to help raise money for the Southeastern Climber Coalition. Beer and burgers to show support doesn’t get more delicious or simple!”

ABOUT JACK BROWN’S BEER & BURGER JOINT

Jack Brown’s is a bar that happens to sell a really fantastic burger, and the menu is purposely simple. This is not a restaurant that tries to please all tastes. We choose to focus on doing one thing and doing it really well. Our burgers are unique and crave-able. We always stock an exciting variety of all styles of craft beer, ranging from local darlings to rare beers from around the world. Our staff is the “special sauce” that brings all of this together. They have all been trained to guide you through the world of craft beer and crazy burgers and to make sure you have a good time.

For more information, please visit www.jackbrownsjoint.com.

 

Categories
Events

Spectruss Presents: Sound To Table Experience

St. John’s Restaurant, Tim Hinck and Spectruss presents a SOUND TO TABLE experience.

 

Sunday, September 24, beginning at 6:00 PM at St. John’s Restaurant.

A composer and a chef set out to completely reimagine the dining experience. Crafting new combinations of sound and dramatic culinary innovations, chef Rebecca Barron and composer Tim Hinck are attempting to redefine their work by uniting flavors and music seamlessly with images, lighting, and sound. Drawing inspiration from Crabtree Farms, they have created sonic and visual extensions to each course of food. Special guest, Holly Mulcahy (violinist and concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony) joins Tim Hinck in creating intricate layers of music that unfold around each course of food from Chef Barron’s kitchen.

 

Experience priced at $160 per person all inclusive of wine pairings, tax, and gratuity.

Limited to 80 guests.

Free Vallet Parking.

 

BUY TICKETS

 

Behind the Sound and Table

Tim Hinck is a composer and pianist who’s works have been performed around the world. A former Fulbright Fellow, Hinck studied music in the Netherlands, and now performs his own music along with a rigorous schedule appointments as a concert pianist. His innovative compositional projects often involve multimedia elements and unexpected performance spaces.

Rebecca Barron is the executive chef of Chattanooga’s renowned St. John’s Restaurant. Talented in her own right, she’s also had the opportunity to work under the well known Chef Daniel Lindley as chef de cuisine for three years before becoming executive chef two years ago.

Categories
Business

Apple Says Goodbye to Imagination Technologies’ Services

This past week Apple announced that they were creating their own in-house mobile processor for their devices. This news immediately affected Imagination Technologies’s shares, which dropped almost 70 percent. Imagination Technologies created Apple’s PowerVR graphics that supplies them with a small royalty on each transaction. Those royalties make up a large percentage of the businesses revenue.

What Happens Next?

While this news affects Imagination Technologies by worrying them on how to further float as a business without such a major client, they have been poached by more SoC vendors as of late. This this is good news for the company, they will need many new clients to make up for the loss of Apple.

This news doesn’t come without its speculations though. Last year Apple mentioned looking into buying Imagination Technologies when Imagination Technologies announced that they would be shrinking their staff count. Apple ended up not proceeding with this idea, but instead took on some of the laid of employees and recruited them for their own, similar project. Apple has stated that they are making this switch to in-house to further their goals of every aspect being created by themselves for their devices.

The Future Brings Change

The future looks interesting between the two companies as a spectator. We shall see what happens when apple officially cuts ties in one to two years. Imagination Technologies is very curious to see how they can survive without their product and not break any patents, release confidential information, or misuse intellectual property. They have multiple GPU patents that will be difficult to work around. Plus, what will Apple do in terms of backward compatibility for their pre-existing app and games?

Categories
Design

Learning to Code is the New Requirement for Jobs in Design

Designers who can create beautiful and trending concepts are in high demand. Their skills can take an amazing product and make it understandable and desirable to customers. But a new wave of designers and developers have started to change jobs in design. Designers are learning to code, and developers are learning to design.

Design + Coding

Companies have started looking for designers who can also code. They want people who can come up with a concept, and be able to execute it too. People who can fill these roles are becoming highly desirable. Learning HTML, CSS, and/or JavaScript is showing to have its advantages by giving designers a better understanding of their limitations and where you can push bolder concepts. These concepts were often needed to be relayed by developers, but if a designer is already aware, time lost on project iterations may be eradicated.

With this information, designers have begun to take charge. New workshops are opening up for designers who want to learn to code. (https://generalassemb.ly/education/coding-for-designers/san-francisco) This workshop linked takes place in San Fransisco and helps get one ready for transitioning into three types of coding. These skills can also be transferred into jobs in the web development field and UX careers.

 

Recently, at SXSW in March 2017, John Maeda delivered a “Design in Tech Report” where he explored new trends on jobs in design and coding that you can watch here, https://vimeo.com/208035080

 

Coding is something worth considering for designers in the tech field. Developers are quickly becoming more style savvy and integrated into design meetings. While technical skills are a great addition to any resume, they may just be the next thing that gets you hired in the tech designer industry.

Categories
Uncategorized

Wearable Technology – Project Jacquard

Recently at South by Southwest, Levi and Google showed off their collaborative wearable technology, Project Jacquard. They’ve eliminated the bulky, awkward, wearable tech that we’ve become used to seeing and replaced it with a jacket that looks and acts like a jacket while having washable conductive fibers running through it. With the jacket comes with a detachable non-washable cufflink that makes the fibers come to life.

“Jacquard yarn structures combine thin, metallic alloys with natural and synthetic yarns like cotton, polyester, or silk, making the yarn strong enough to be woven on any industrial loom. Jacquard yarns are indistinguishable from the traditional yarns that are used to produce fabrics today.”

– atop.google.com/jacquard

Project Jacquard is developed in Googles division in the Advance Tech and Projects Group. The jacket, cut in Levi’s Trucker Jacket style, uses conductive yarns that are able to make gestures translate into actions woven into precise places. Sensor grids and interactive surfaces are also an option with how the technology is woven into the fabric.

The jacket currently allows wearers to get map updates and navigation without a screen, track destinations of interest as you pass by, and answer calls. The features are limited at the moment but more apps are in route to come in the future. Apps such as the ones you download on your phone may one day be downloadable to your tech jacket.

The jacket is currently listed at $350 retail and you can find more video information on this new tech online at https://atap.google.com/jacquard/

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