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We have written lately about the importance of determining your site’s key metrics. Once you’ve decided on your website goals, however, tracking them shouldn’t be a pain. Google Analytics allows website owners to find out who is coming to their site, and what they do there. You can sign into the Google Analytics dashboard to access your current website statistics, but with just a little more effort you can setup Analytics to monitor the goals most important to your site, and send the most pertinent data directly to your inbox. In this post we will run through three tools in Google Analytics that, once setup,…

In your own mind, it’s easy to imagine your website drawing in visitors and effortlessly guiding them on a journey through relevant content, building their confidence in your business, and leading them on their way to becoming customers. But without statistics on which to back these assumptions, you can only presume that your site is getting the traffic you want, and that visitors are getting the experience they want from your site. Luckily, services such as Google Analytics are available for website owners who want to find out who is coming to their site, and what they do there. But…

In your own mind, it’s easy to imagine your website drawing in visitors and effortlessly guiding them on a journey through relevant content, building their confidence in your business, and leading them on their way to becoming customers. But without statistics on which to back these assumptions, you can only presume that your site is getting the traffic you want, and that visitors are getting the experience they want from your site. Luckily, there are technologies available for website owners to find out who is coming to their site, and what they do on your site, but it does require…

We’ve written before about the opportunities to connect with customers via the top consumer social networks, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. A small business can use these networks to share company news and insights, communicating to current and potential clients that the company is active and knowledgeable in its area of expertise. We think nearly every small business can gain from the creation and management of their brand on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, which is becoming just as important as having a great website. In this post we’ll go beyond the “big three” social networks, and look at a few lesser known sites:…

Wow – coming up on 16 years. Kobayashi Technology has been around for some time, and we are going stronger than ever! When I started this business, I was just a sole techie helping companies with their IT needs. Now we are a solid digital marketing firm with four full-time, and three part-time people who have helped hundreds of businesses with their online presence.  It has been a great adventure. Earlier this year, we worked with Toronto Marketing Agency Finesilver Design Inc. and branding specialist Sharon Freedman of Twenty-Six Keys to review our company, our mission, and how our marketing…

We’re a small business marketing firm in Toronto, and we’ve been getting some local press attention recently. First we were on the CBC (radio and TV) talking about our 10% HST sale. The Toronto Star saw our blog article and called to get more details on how we think the HST is going to benefit companies using our print and digital marketing services. And finally, John Wilkinson, the Ontario Minister of Revenue, is planning a visit for this Friday to find out more about our business, the challenges we face, and why we are glad about the demise of the outdated and…

Hello there, CBC came by yesterday to ask what my thoughts were about the HST as a small business owner. For us, it is a very good thing. So much so, we’re going to pass on the savings to our customers! But more on that in a bit. First: Is your eCommerce store HST ready? Most every business is of course affected. For those in Ontario with eCommerce stores (and who are already registered for GST), you should already be charging GST, PST, and HST depending on where you are shipping your products. If you haven’t done so yet, you…

For your website to be as successful as it can be in serving you, it needs at least one goal. Above and beyond design or content, we consider this the most important component of your website. There is no reason to have a website unless it is going to achieve a goal – and that goal should be identified and explored so you figure out HOW the goal will be achieved. Here are the four main website goals we have seen: New sales support: Help close “offline” sales by establishing your professionalism and value to your client. Advertising support: Help…