Thinking Ahead to a New Year...

It's been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. Unfortunately, that's how most business owners approach the New Year - using the same worn-out, ineffective advertising and marketing techniques that have failed them year after year, all the while wondering why their business hasn't increased, or has even failed! If you're determined to make 2015 better for YOUR small or local business, here are five New Year's business resolutions that you should consider for the coming year:

1. Commit to EVERY aspect of running your business. All business owners know that running a small or local business is a round-the-clock job. Buying inventory, waiting on customers, keeping books and paying taxes are but a few of the MANY responsibilities a business owner has.  Unfortunately, with limited time, money and personnel, many business needs are overlooked or even neglected, such as advertising and marketing plans. In order for your business to be successful, you've got to commit to EVERY aspect of your business - even if its just on a limited budget.  Your business is your team, and you are its coach. You can't afford not to have ALL your best players on the field! Make a commitment in 2015 to focusing on those aspects of your business you've neglected in the past year.
2. Weed out anything or anyONE that's not working for you. This includes deadbeat employees, broken down or outdated equipment, and most importantly, worn out business tactics that have failed you in the past year. Be willing to try NEW things - new employees, new equipment and software, and new ideas! Stop the insanity of repeating last year's failures! Don't use the excuse that you can't afford a new computer or storefront sign. Anything that is slowing your business down is costing you twice as much money in the long run than it will cost to replace it once.  You wouldn't continue to drive your car with worn-out tires or a busted windshield, so why use the same out-dated computer equipment and lazy sales person(s) you've had all year? Approach the new year with a new sales staff, new equipment and a new attitude!
3. Call in the pros. Many business owners think they have to be a "jack-of-all-trades" and do everything related to their business, including washing the windows, keeping the books, repairing the plumbing, and building their own website. And while most small business owners are on a limited budget, some things should just be left up to the professionals, or they can cost you MORE time and money in the long run! The most common mistake I find with new business owners is either having a poorly-built website, or NO website at all! More about this later...  A SMART business owner knows the limits of their business skills and abilities, and the value of bringing in a professional to do a job they are not trained to do themselves! Also, by using local professionals in your community, you are not only getting a job done right, you're stimulating your local economy by patronizing your fellow local business owners, not to mention creating a network of new customers and prospects!
4. Spruce up your storefront - outside AND in! I'm constantly amazed at how many businesses operate day after day with a burned-out store sign, broken pavement in the parking lot, worn out store fixtures, poor inside lighting, dirty restrooms, and cobwebs in the corners. Your business is a reflection of YOU, and no one wants to shop in a place that looks like an abandoned feed store! It doesn't take alot of money to replace light bulbs or replace a cracked toilet seat! Sometimes, its the LITTLE things about your business that make the BIGGEST impression on your customers! Don't neglect the obvious problems! 
5. Have a well-designed, smart website. Okay, you knew this one was coming, and in all honesty, I wanted to put it FIRST. Lol! But nevertheless, having a well-built and well-performing website is still crucial to ANY business in this digital age we live in.  Business websites are STILL the #1 source customers use when searching for a service or product. It's the ONLY place you can let YOUR customers know everything about your business, and make it easy for them to purchase your product or service online! Got a Facebook page instead of a website? Well, that's fine, but not EVERYONE is on Facebook , or even likes it! Unless your target market is the "Facebook crowd", you're actually LOSING customers if that's the only marketing platform you use for your business! (And if you don't KNOW what your target customer market is, you need to find out, in order to target them in the most effective way!) 

        Even worse than not having a website, is having a poorly built or designed website! Broken               links, outdated information, slow loading pages, and unprofessional looking sites are a major           turn off for most people, and will result in a higher bounce rate - the percentage of sessions in         which a user clicked and then left your site without visiting other pages.  I would advise every           business owner to stop right now, and read the "59 Second Rule" to find out the three main           things that will cause a user to leave your website faster than you can say "pop-up"!  
        Quite naturally, in order to have a smart, well-designed, and well-performing website, you                 need the services of a highly skilled and trained website company - such as LT Web Designs! ;) 
        Not only can we build you a great looking website, we can maintain and market it along                     with your Facebook or other social media pages! Make it a priority in 2015 to either revamp             your existing website, or start fresh with a brand new SMART website from LT Web Designs!

The New Year is quickly approaching! Don't go into 2015 using the same old worn-out business tactics that have failed you in past years. With a few simple changes, and a strong commitment to improving your overall approach to your small or local business, you'll see more customers and a higher net profit next year!


LT Web Designs is going into its third year of helping small and local businesses by offering smart, well designed and well-performing website services, website maintenance, social media marketing and other small business advertising and marketing needs. Start your new year off right by calling or emailing us today to get a jump start on your website and business marketing needs for the coming year!

Happy New Year!

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