5 tips for a better website
5 tips for a better website
The website as a communication tool
There was a time when you saw your own website as a business card. There you could look up the address of the company, maybe check the opening times, find an email address and things like that. That time is over, because your own website is now a means of communication. Let your website do the work for you!
The website as a point of contact
Today’s websites are not static information, but living organisms. In the best sense of the word, websites today can be a point of contact between website owners and website visitors. Just as today, for many people, email has been replaced by messaging or the phone has been replaced by WhatsApp video calls, so the idea of a website as a mere address card has long been outdated.
Websites are points of contact today. Here not only factually correct information is conveyed, but also useful tips and tricks as well as emotions and ideas. Comment functions allow interaction. Maybe there is a newsletter or small surveys are made. On a website you not only refer to yourself and your own products or services, but also offer solutions to specific challenges. The website visitor “feels” the quality of the offer on the website.
5 tips for a better website
- Topicality
Write regularly. It is better to collect small contributions frequently than to publish a compendium once a year. - Concrete benefits
With a web offer, the benefit for the website visitor should always be in the foreground. It is best to put yourself in the shoes of the visitor and take up questions that can be written about. - collect ideas
Questions are often asked, especially when talking to customers. Each question is perfect as a basis for a post. Of course, you don’t always have the opportunity to write an article straight away. That’s why I made a list myself, where I can quickly write down ideas for new topics. Otherwise they will be forgotten. This is how you help yourself. - planning
For some people the texts and ideas are bubbling up, while others struggle with it. Anyone who is responsible for their own website has to think ahead. If you don’t like to write yourself, does someone else do it? A good rule of thumb is to provide updates at least once a month. As soon as a post is recorded, it can be used for newsletters or for distribution via social media. Are new posts recorded on a regular basis – no matter how small! – any planning can be advanced more easily. - customer service
A website is also something like a shop window. Customer care starts here. It is important to write new things regularly even when there is no news to report. Use these “dead times” for tips and tricks. The website visitors will be grateful for that.
The main topic: generating values
Whether you have the structure or rather the content of your website in mind during an evaluation does not initially matter. In all considerations, only the values that you generate for your customers are really important. In times of social distancing and limited customer contact, the website can play a decisive role.
No website is made to last. What works well in creating the website may not work after two or three years. Make an evaluation of the benefit every now and then. Is the structure correct? Are the right topics being addressed? Do new ideas have to be implemented?
Many companies have significantly less work these months. Is this the perfect opportunity to improve something on your own website in small steps?
Convert InDesign documents for free
Convert InDesign documents for free
IDMarkz free of charge until the end of May 2020
The software company Markzware reacts to the current world situation by providing its latest product “IDMarkz” free of charge. For this purpose, the manufacturer has issued a special license with a limited validity until the end of May 2020. IDMarkz is a prepress conversion software that can convert InDesign documents (INDD) into a selection of other formats – perfect for anyone working with older InDesign versions or other layout programs.
Markzware became known for its professional prepress solutions. Conversion solutions for InDesign and XPress have been particularly successful in recent years. The latest product is IDMarkz, a standalone software for converting native InDesign documents. With this software, original InDesign documents can be converted even if no InDesign is available.
Download and access data
IDMarkz can be downloaded and activated without registration. So there is absolutely no reason not to try the software.
Step 1
Step 2
After downloading, the software can be unlocked with the following information:
email: doingourpart@markzware.com
License ID: bf2f3a43-8466-4861-b5e6-2e0e00e4ac83
Software valid until the end of May 2020
This version of IDMarkz corresponds to the full version. It will automatically expire at the end of May 2020. If you work with InDesign today or have to convert files from InDesign to another InDesign version or to another document format, this is the perfect opportunity.
More information about IDMarkz can be found here:
Finally get a grip on your data with FileMaker
Finally get a grip on your data with FileMaker
Automation of everyday tasks
Who is working is generating data, i.e. information about the work. From the customer address to the production status, data is collected, offers and invoices are written and a thousand other things are processed. Most daily tasks are repetitive and can therefore be recorded in a structured way. This increases transparency, reduces the risk of errors and enables a targeted approach to business.
Use the time in lockdown
We live in a challenging time with unique opportunities. The COVID-19 virus will shut down the global economy for months. Governments “close” entire countries, and suddenly everyone is forced to improvise. It will take some time before it’s all over. It is still unclear how any exit strategy will work out after a relaxation. It seems certain, on the other hand, that the consequences of this period will linger with us for a long time to come.
I consider myself as pragmatic. I ask myself what I can do today which helps me tomorrow. During this time one must keep a cool head and look ahead courageously. We can think about that now.
Those who pave the way for new options today will have better chances of standing their ground in the future. The evaluation and simplification of internal company processes play an important role here. Think of automation requirements in day-to-day operations.
Now is a good time to contemplate workflows and software in your company.
Automation with FileMaker
FileMaker is a platform to develop business solutions. It’s not a specific software solution, it’s the software that allows you to create solutions. It’s like speaking of a word processor, which can be used to write different texts.
Many businesses use Excel to manage their data. This is a very powerful tool, but Excel is not a database, nor does it allow you to create intuitive interfaces. FileMaker, however, organizes data in an intuitive way. It’s used to create attractive and efficient software solutions that work on both Mac and Windows, and can also run on the web or iOS. One data format for a wide range of applications!
With FileMaker, you can automate business processes and bring them together on one platform. FileMaker solutions can be secured, shared over a network, and accessed by multiple people with their individual accounts and access rights.
In short, with FileMaker you can take control of your data.
Jump-start help for FileMaker developers
Kursiv Software builds solutions for FileMaker developers and those who want to become one.
FM Starter
With our startup file “FM Starter” there is a quick start for every new FileMaker project. With FM Starter you get a proven project structure and many generic tools are already integrated (navigation, multilingualism, user management, etc.).
FM Registrations
Do you want to convert your FileMaker development into standard software and sell it multiple times? If so, “FM Registrations” can be of help. With FM Registrations you can create license keys for your own FileMaker solutions. Therefore you can easily sell the same solution to multiple customers.
Kursiv provides help to self-help
Decide for yourself whether you prefer to develop on your own or whether you prefer assistance with the project. Kursiv offers optimal help for both scenarios. You can use our cost-effective FileMaker solutions or order coaching and training. We support on site or remotely.
Where can I get further information?
On our website fmstarter.com you will find many free example files as well as documentation and videos about our commercial FileMaker products. We are also part of an active FileMaker developer group in Eastern Switzerland, accessible via the website filemaker-kompetenz.ch. If you want to learn more about the possibilities of FileMaker or if you want to join us as a developer, we recommend the German FileMaker Conference. This conference takes place once a year and further information is available on filemaker-konferenz.com. The FileMaker Magazine is a website with magazine but also a very active forum with German-speaking developers. All this can be found on filemaker-magazin.de. If you want to start with self-study, you can find introductory videos about FileMaker and many other topics on the website com2publish.ch.
Working in times of crisis
Working in times of crisis
Don't panic - how we make the best out of adversity
Slowly, the full force of the coronavirus threat is also beginning to reach Switzerland. Switzerland currently ranks second in terms of worldwide infection, if you calculate per capita of the population instead of only assuming absolute numbers (statistics). Many are already working from their home office. Other companies suddenly have no more incoming orders. What is the best thing to do in these challenging times?
The Good News
Kursiv has some good news: Our products are virus-free. We also can guarantee that there is no danger of infection for humans, if you download our software solutions from kursiv-software.com or fmstarter.com. This applies for the publishing tools, the FileMaker solutions or also for our keywording software for photographers.
Normal everyday life: Urgent before important
Daily life used to look like this: If job prospects are good, we plan and produce. We are busy. Business is running well. However: Often urgent things are done first. Strategic decisions are postponed. This will happen in many small businesses. This situation now has suddenly changed. Nothing is urgent anymore, because orders are postponed, projects cancelled. Nobody knows how long this will last.
The opportunity: Important before urgent
The seriousness of the situation also brings with it opportunities. If the category “urgent” suddenly no longer exists, another category can be given attention. Today is the time when “important before urgent” can be cultivated. This involves strategic considerations and the evaluation of the value chain. Whoever has time to evaluate these things now is in the best position for the time after the wave of infection.
Focus on software
Almost all business processes today can be optimized with software. A first step to an evaluation would be the clarification of internal business processes. Where does information flow together and how is it managed? Where are there redundancies? Are there clear structures? Which pieces of the puzzle are missing today? The time that is perhaps unintentionally available today can be put to good use to solve any issues.
Implementing ideas
You have to have ideas and then implement them. As FileMaker developers we support companies with the realization of their own software projects. We coach and train and often do this remotely. We also provide proven development tools such as “FM Starter”, a start file for new FileMaker projects. On the website fmstarter.com we offer free FileMaker modules, sample files and further help.
Anyone who comes up with ideas and strategic considerations has already won in many ways. Panic and lethargy are no good guides in today’s world. If you take advantage of the possibilities, you create a good starting position for yourself. In this way, a virtue can be made out of adversity.