Want to Move from HTML To Wordpress?

Many website owners are seeing the long term advantages of working with a database driven website. Being able to edit your site from any computer with an internet connection is attractive. Being able to post content and photos from a smart phone is also pretty darn cool.

If you have built your existing site in HTML you are probably considering making a move to a full Wordpress site (or some other database driven script) but feel intimidated by the process.
This is the perfect opportunity to outsource and Freshnets is both experienced and available to take on your project.

We’ll take a look at your existing site and chat with you about your desires for a new layout and site structure. Once we have a clear view of your wishes we’ll make a bid on the project. Smaller sites (as far as number of existing web pages) start at $250, larger sites start at around $500.

Our goal at Freshnets is always to put as much power into the hands of the website owner as possible so we will take the time to explain everything we’ve done to organize and optimize your site.

You can have us do as little or as much as you wish as far as moving your content into the new site and setting up web redirects. We are currently billing this sort of ancillary time at $15 an hour. You may prefer to outsource this work to a Virtual Assistant or tackle it yourself.

If you’re interested in learning more, contact us for a free 20 minutes consult. (designer@freshnets.com)

What Can Your Small Business Blog About?

Having a static website is tantamount to posting a brochure on the web for people to read.  It’s better than nothing but it falls far short of utilizing the internet to it’s full potential.

A good business website will be fresh, not stagnate.  It will offer up the basic information that potential customers need which may not change all that often, but it will also offer up content that says ‘This website was not built and left to gather dust in 2002.’

How can a small business keep it’s website fresh by blogging?

Here are just a few quick ideas:

• Post seasonal tips that relate to your products or services.
• Post consumer news that relates to what you have to offer.
• Post advance notice about sales and new products.
• Post announcements about new staff members, promotions, awards and special recognition, etc. (This will be appreciated by staff members as it sends a message about their value to the business and it will draw local traffic as they share the post with friends and family.)

Do you worry about having time to post to a company blog?  Any staff member with personable writing skills can serve as a company blogger within a minimal weekly time investment.

Want to start or refresh a small business website with a blog?  Contact Freshnets (designer@freshnets.com) for a free 20 minute consultation.

How FreshNets Came to Portland, Michigan

March 3, 2008 will mark the day that FreshNets officially re-located to Portland, Michigan.

I (Kelly, owner of FreshNets) originally launched this site in Gaylord, Michigan.  Although my design business was predominantly virtual (meaning I serve clients all over the US, Canada and beyond) I was getting quite a few word of mouth referrals locally and I needed a website for curious people to explore.

In 2007 I moved from Gaylord to Lansing with a goal of being closer to my family and to position my soon to graduate son closer to the colleges he has interest in.   My family is scattered around Lansing, I have a sister in Dewitt, a brother in Rives Juncton, mom in Holt, niece in Portland, etc - Lansing was the perfect central location.   I thought we’d be living there, in our west Lansing apartment for a few years, but things changed sooner than I expected.

My niece and her hubby gave birth to quadruplets in September 2007 and they all came home from the hospital right before Christmas.  Because my home business allows me a lot of freedom and flexibility, I’ve been helping out on the night shift (we call it Quad Watch) ever since.  That means driving back and forth from Lansing to Portland and back again every day.

Well, this home-based entrepreneur is not cut out for a commute - even if it is only twenty minutes one way.  It didn’t take long for me to start thinking about making a move to Portland.

I am excited about serving the Portland/Mid-Michigan area and look forward to getting involved in the community.

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