I'll be the first to admit that I'm closer to a developer than I am to an artist. I find innovative ways to deliver on the promise posed by a strong online presence. While there is graphic design involved in the process, with SEO a constant source of aggravation for my clients, I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to a website design. One of the most common "arguments" i have with my graphic designers is balancing beauty with intent. A beautiful website is a wonderful thing, but if that beauty interferes with the core function of a website (to inform, communicate, and sell a product or service) then it is a failure.

Just what can a blog do for you and your business? While blogging may have started out as a purely social, if somewhat narcissistic pursuit, it has matured in recent years to become a rather effective tool for marketing goods and services. Since the web is now the first place people look for information, it stands to reason that a business can't do much better than offer the most sought after information prospective customers want.

Blogs are no longer just online personal journals - they are now key business tools. Blogs allow you to engage in a conversation with your customers while improving your website's search engine rank. Don't know where to start? Download this kit to learn key tactics for business blogging and engaging in the blogosphere to grow your business.

When the going gets tough for businesses, it seems the first thing they cut from their budget is marketing expenditures. It is hard to argue that cutting costs in a down economy makes sense, but is cutting your marketing or advertising budget the best way to ensure your business continues to succeed?

When the going gets tough for businesses, it seems the first thing they cut from their budget is marketing expenditures. It is hard to argue that cutting costs in a down economy makes sense, but is cutting your marketing or advertising budget the best way to ensure your business continues to succeed?

Unfortunately, while most people think of advertising and marketing as a luxury expense, it is about the only expense that has lasting value for any business. It is a well documented fact that businesses that invest in marketing and advertising during a recession, when most other businesses are cutting back, improve their market share and increase their ROI (return on investment) at a lower cost than they would during a boom economy. Building an attractive, sticky website is a great way to ensure you're marketing dollars are working for you in both the short term and in the long term.